Category Archives: Job Search

Time is Money in a Job Search

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Lisa

Time is money in a job search. Being unemployed, or underemployed, carries a hefty price tag.

If you just graduated from college, without a job, I have bad news for you. While the economy is strong and unemployment is at its lowest in years, the number of companies planning to hire new college graduates declined this spring. Clearly not the graduation gift you wanted.

According to NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average college graduate spends 7.4 months searching for their first post college professional role. That’s nearly as long as an academic year at almost the same cost. (more…)

Posted in Career Advice, College Student, Job Search |

The College Graduate’s Job Search Checklist – 9 things to do to kick start your job search

Posted on May 31, 2018 by Lisa

College graduation is in the rear view mirror for the class of 2018. The road ahead offers endless career options for recent graduates – perhaps too many. In my work as a career coach, I see daily the paralysis that too much choice brings. Bright, motivated college graduates who are so anxious about what’s next they have no idea where to start.

In his TEDTalk, psychologist Barry Schwarz discusses the “paradox of choice”: why too many options can be paralyzing. Anxiety often results when you think you have to figure everything out alone. Not knowing where to start can be daunting, yet the most important step in any job search is starting. That’s why I created the college graduate’s job search checklist: to ease your anxiety and help you kick-start your job search. (more…)

Posted in College Student, Job Search, Uncategorized | Tagged college grad, job search |

15 Things to Do on Winter Break

Posted on December 1, 2017 by Lisa

There’s nothing quite like endless papers to write and final exams to set you dreaming about winter break. That said, sleeping in late and lounging on the couch binge watching Netflix is not the best use of your time off. Nor is it likely to impress your parents.

Ramping up your job search over winter break will help you make the most of your senior year. Having a job lined up before graduation or better yet, by spring break, is the best way to really enjoy your final time on campus.

Here are 15 things to do on winter break to make the most of your senior year. (more…)

Posted in Career Advice, College Student, Job Search, Resumes & Cover Letters | Tagged career advice, college grad, job search, networking, resume |

7 Tips For Acing a Phone Interview

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Lisa

A phone interview is the gateway to a face-to-face interview so why do so many people fail to prepare properly for them? You might be thinking that you are merely interested in finding out more about the job opportunity, having submitted an application and possibly a cover letter. Or perhaps a recruiter contacted you via LinkedIn.

The good news is that you made it past the interview gatekeeper and to a phone interview. The bad news is that the phone interview is a real interview so you need to treat it as such. That means following all the same steps for preparing for a face to face interview. (more…)

Posted in Interview Tips, Job Search |

5 Tips to Get Hired With No Internship Experience

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Lisa

It is still true in today’s economy that if you have graduated without one, ideally two, internships that your likelihood of getting a good job, quickly, is much, much lower. According to Forbes, “66% of employers view interview performance and relevant experience” as the most critical factors in making a hiring decision. So what should you do if you’ve graduated and your resume is seriously lacking in pertinent experience? Here are 5 tips for getting hired with no internship experience. (more…)

Posted in Career Advice, Interview Tips, Job Search |

Does Your Job Search Need a Reality Check?

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Lisa

College graduates today have been bombarded with messages about pursuing their dreams and passions. Forbes calls them ”relentless optimists” stating that “millennials would rather hold out for the best job.” Unfortunately, pursuit of the perfect position can often lead to frustration and a failure to launch. That’s why it’s wise to see if your job search needs a reality check.

So how do you put a reality check on your job search without sacrificing your dreams? (more…)

Posted in Career Advice, Job Search |

10 Tips to Conquer your Networking Anxiety

Posted on July 28, 2017 by Lisa

If you’ve recently graduated from college and are looking for a job, networking is, by far, the single most effective tool in your job search. Yet many recent grads fear networking and fail to grasp why it’s so important. Understanding why you need to network and how to do it effectively can help you move past your networking anxiety and on your way to finding a great job.

According to a recent study published on LinkedIn, 85% of jobs are found via networking. Career experts agree that the majority of your job search time should be spent networking. In my experience as a career coach, my clients who actively network find jobs in nearly half the time as those who don’t. (more…)

Posted in Career Advice, Job Search, Networking | Tagged anxiety, networking |

6 Tips to Create More Effective Cover Letters

Posted on June 27, 2017 by Lisa

Knowing how to write effective cover letters is a mission critical job search skill. I have seen countless cover letters that miss the mark. The worst ones, by far, are the ones that go on, and on, and on. Cover letters are intended to pique the interest of the employer just enough to get them to take a good look at your resume. Here are 6 tips to create more effective cover letters and help you land that all-important interview. (more…)

Posted in Job Search, Resumes & Cover Letters |

12 tips for getting the most out of your summer internship

Posted on June 1, 2017 by Lisa

Francois Duhamel/Warner Bros. Pictures

If you were lucky enough to score a summer internship, chances are you are several weeks into your experience. Now is a great time to step back and evaluate how you are doing, and whether you are getting the most from your opportunity. Here are several tips to make sure you maximize your internship experience – for both you and your employer. (more…)

Posted in Internships, Job Search | Tagged career advice, internship, summer internship |

The Secret To A Job Offer Is Attitude: 10 Ways To Improve Your Job Interviewing Confidence

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Lisa

Don't Ignore These 5 Critical Job Search Steps

Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You

Job searches, especially unsuccessful ones, are notorious for sucking the confidence out of anyone. Who really enjoys sending endless resumes and cover letters out only to get a computerized rejection letter? After a string of rejections, it’s no wonder that your self-confidence takes a beating.

As a career coach who works primarily with college students and recent graduates, building my clients’ self-confidence is often the most important work that we do together.

Like many of the things that you need to do to get a job, and be successful in the role, gaining confidence is an acquired skill for most people. Self-confidence gives you a positive, but not unrealistic, perception of your ability to tackle challenges, such as a new job. (more…)